Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 19) — The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the family of the visiting Filipino lawyer shot in a random act of violence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA clarified on Sunday night that the lawyer is still fighting for his life and asked everyone for prayers.
“We call on [our] kababayan to pray hard with us so that Atty. John Laylo, who we have just been informed remains on life support after yesterday’s random shooting incident in Philadelphia, would pull through,” Consul General Elmer Cato said in a tweet.
Laylo was also the legislative staff officer of Sen. Manuel Roxas II from 2007 to 2009, associate partner at DB Law Partnership from 2015 to 2016, and a supervising legislative lawyer in the Senate from 2016 to 2018.
Laylo’s sister, Althea also said her brother is not medically pronounced as brain dead.
Laylo was earlier reported to be fatally shot.
He also served as legal and political consultant for the city government of Malabon in 2015-2016 and later worked as deputy campaign manager for the re-election bids of the Oretas in 2016.
In an earlier tweet, Cato said he has talked to the mother and assured her of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Consulate.
He added that the Consulate “will extend all possible assistance in bringing [the] victim home.”
Meanwhile, incoming Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, who alerted the DFA of the incident, sends prayers for healing and justice. Laylo worked for Ople as chief of staff during her senatorial campaign in 2010.
During the 2022 general elections, he was appointed as the official counsel of outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo in the board of canvassers for Makati City.
We call on kababayan to pray hard with us so that Atty John Laylo, who we have just been informed remains on life support after yesterday’s random shooting incident in Philadelphia, would pull through. @teddyboylocsin @susanople @PHinNewYork
— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) June 19, 2022
Victim was on way to airport with mother to catch flight to Chicago when Uber vehicle they were riding in was fired upon at around 4 a.m. Victim struck in the head by one of six bullets fired by suspect who remains at large.
— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) June 19, 2022
Thank you, ConGen @elmer_cato and SFA @teddyboylocsin – prayers for healing and justice
— susanople (@susanople) June 19, 2022
His sister also took to Twitter to ask for Robredo’s assistance.
“He has no more reflexes, but there is still one part of his brain that is functioning. It would mean a lot to my family that instead of condolences, we get prayers,” she tweeted. “Let us please hope for a miracle together.”
Hi ma’am @lenirobredo my brother, a big supporter of yours, was a victim of a random shooting in Philadelphia earlier this morning (east coast time). He was a great lawyer and did all he can to serve the country. Any help will be much appreciated. Thank you.
— 𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒶 (@theilaylo) June 19, 2022
My brother isn’t medically pronounced as brain dead. He has no more reflexes, but there is still one part of his brain that is functioning. It would mean a lot to my family that instead of condolences, we get prayers. Let us please hope for a miracle together. https://t.co/I0vdOI47Ss
— 𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒶 (@theilaylo) June 19, 2022
The mother was slightly wounded by glass fragments and was brought to a hospital, the consul general added.
He was on his way to the airport with his mother to catch their flight to Chicago when their car was fired with six bullets, Cato said.
